Dáil debates

Wednesday, 5 May 2021

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions

Flexible Work Practices

8:30 pm

Photo of Jennifer Carroll MacNeillJennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

35. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the policies to support local authorities to continue new work practices implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic that are more family friendly for councillors and council staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22889/21]

Photo of Jennifer Carroll MacNeillJennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am raising with the Minister of State this evening the opportunity to continue with some of the work practices of local authority staff and councillors that have emerged during the Covid pandemic. Adopting the new flexible working practices we have seen has led to a better and more balanced way of life for many people and their communities. There will be less pressure on public transport if staff are not needed in the same way as they were. I am interested in hearing the Minister of State’s thoughts on this.

Photo of Peter BurkePeter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for her question. Similar to other sectors, the local authority sector will continue to make available flexible working, remote working and family-friendly arrangements that facilitate work-life balance while ensuring the delivery of all local authority services. Consideration of family-friendly working practices is particularly important in ensuring that elected councils are fully representative of the constituents they serve. In this regard, on 20 October 2020, a ministerial order was signed by the Minster, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, under section 29 of the Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020 allowing meetings of local authorities to be held remotely. It remains a matter for each elected council to decide if it wishes to continue to avail of this order, based on the wishes of the elected members. I am aware of the desire among some councillors, particularly those with family or other caring responsibilities, for the option to attend meetings virtually to continue. I can confirm I am supportive of this aim. My Department will continue to monitor developments in this regard.

Earlier this year, I convened a working group of key local government stakeholders, including councillor representative organisations, to examine the non-pay-related recommendations of the Moorhead report. The working group is in the process of finalising an action plan that will deal with many of the issues referred to by the Deputy, such as administration and IT supports, flexibility of meeting times and duration, and technological solutions. Also covered will be matters such as remote meetings, voting and live-streaming of meetings, along with training and development supports. Addressing these key issues will facilitate the retention of existing councillors, while also maximising the accessibility of local government to future candidates. It will also ensure the role of the councillor is manageable, accessible and sustainable, including for anyone who has other obligations in the form of caring responsibilities or work commitments.

Photo of Jennifer Carroll MacNeillJennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for all his work in this area. It is so important in supporting people going into local politics, attracting a more diverse group and keeping them. The Minister will be aware that while Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, which is in my area, is the first with a 50:50 gender balance, two of its female councillors, namely, Councillors Lorraine Hall and Eva Dowling, have had babies since the election in 2019, because that is what people do. In Ms Hall’s case, there was no provision for her to be able to adapt; she simply had to cope with a newborn baby and the council meetings. Ms Dowling was able to have a pairing arrangement with Councillor Emma Blain but these arrangements are unsustainable. It does not just end at six months. As the Minister of State has identified, young families pose a difficulty for councillors. Some councillors are hoping to have the opportunity to have hybrid meetings, partly virtual and partly in person. It is great to hear the Department is supportive of that and a range of other measures.

Photo of Peter BurkePeter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. It is great news that Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown is reflective of society at large. It is important to have a gender balance in our local authorities that reflects the communities they serve. Councillor Lorraine Hall is on our committee. On foot of the Moorhead report’s recommendations on the non-pay items, we have established a sub-group to examine maternity benefit for elected representatives. Elected representatives are officeholders, not employees, which means they are different under employment law. We have really to work on this. The group has had two meetings. Several female councillors, representing different geographical areas, are considering this. I want to come up with a response that is meaningful, that women will use, that will be supportive and that will encourage more women to enter politics. It is so important that all our local authorities reflect the communities they serve. I am very supportive of that as Minister of State.

Photo of Jennifer Carroll MacNeillJennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for the update on that work. It is such welcome work and it is so important. There has been a big change for council staff. We are hearing reports from councillors to the effect that, in many ways, they have been even more accessible in recent months because people have been sharing mobile phone numbers and so on. That has made connectivity much easier, rather than leaving messages at desk phones and so on. It has been possible to resolve many little problems very quickly, which is good. If we can continue with this, it will be an important part of providing more flexible working arrangements.

I recognise the important right to disconnect. We should not be overburdening council staff or councillors. They do need a right to disconnect and do need to have the privacy of their family home and family life because everybody needs a balanced working environment. Everything we can do to create flexibility in work, whether it is by allowing one to work for two days at home and three in the office, or vice versa, will be really important.

Photo of Peter BurkePeter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for her comments. As she rightly stated, flexibility is so important for our local authority workers. They can avail of many family-friendly, supported policies that will be enhanced and continued. We are talking about career breaks, flexible working, the work-sharing scheme, parental leave, paternity leave, parent's leave, maternity leave, carer's leave and associated policies. They are so important in supporting our local authority workers.

The Deputy referred to the right to disconnect. That, in tandem with what the Tánaiste is trying to progress in respect of remote working in his Department, is part of the measures to support employees to realise their potential and work from home, or, indeed, adopt a blended approach that suits all concerned.

As the Deputy noted, it is important for people to have that right to disconnect in order that their homes will be private and they will have time for their families. I hope that a blend of these policies will give people greater opportunities to be with their families and disconnect and will encourage a better society in general. They could be some of the rewards from Covid.